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Band takes musical path from life’s crossroads

Special to the Gazette
9:21 p.m. EDT August 5, 2014

Crossroad Station members, from left, John Dunfee II, John Dunfee Sr. and Eric McKinniss will be joined on stage by Robert Allen and Dylan Ogle for a performance at the Ross County Fair tonight. A performance by Clark Manson also is part of this evening’s program.
(Photo:
Photo submitted by Vibe Creative Media
)

CHILLICOTHE – When Ross County fairgoers settle into their grandstand seats at 7 p.m. today for a performance by Crossroad Station, they can expect to see the result of a life’s mission.

“We have a sign in our practice space that says, ‘This is isn’t a hobby, this is an all-consuming passion,’” said band bass guitarist Robert Allen. “It was time to put that mantra to the test. All of us have been playing music and touring our entire lives and it felt like if there were ever a time to make a real go at it, this was it.”

The five-piece band currently consists of Eric McKinniss on rhythm guitar, John Dunfee II on lead guitar, Allen on bass guitar, Dylan Ogle on drums and John Dunfee Sr. as “the guitar extraordinaire.”

The bands focus and inspiration comes from Top 40 Country, Classic Country, Outlaw Country, Country Rock, Classic Rock and Rhythm & Blues with an emphasis on sweet vocal harmonies, driving rhythms and killer guitar chops that keep the audience engaged and entertained.

Crossroad Station formed in 2010 when McKinniss, Allen, John Dunfee II and John Dunfee Sr. met. Each of them had been playing music their whole lives and now sing songs about life in rural southern Ohio, where they live the lyrics every day.

The band’s music is a melting pot of all genres of music, featuring not only original music but also songs from Jason Aldean to Johnny Cash, and from artists such as Bon Jovi, AC/DC, ZZ Top and more.

The dedication of its members come in part from the fact that their “day jobs” — as a factory worker, engineer, boilermaker and semi-pro bass fisherman — are all on hold. With the desire to take their music to the next level — and with a local economy still trying to fully rebound — the band decided to take the show on the road full time.

Crossroad Station released its first CD, “Crossroad Station,” late last year. Its six-pack of songs delivers modern country with an overt nod to the outlaw country legends the band grew up listening to. The songs sum up their upbringing in rural Ohio and their influences.

“We’ve been playing our originals in concert and so far the feedback from audiences has just been overwhelmingly positive,” McKinniss said. “People really seem to be able to relate to lyrics about life in the country and not forgetting your roots.”